2018 Bachelet-Monnot Meursault Clos du Cromin

Domaine Bachelet-Monnot is a family affair and, for Burgundy, a young one. It was started in 2005 by brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet, who created the 53-acre domaine from land owned by their father and uncle. The vineyards are in the Maranges, Santenay and Puligny-Montrachet communes. The wines earn ratings in the low to mid-90s from reviewers, many of whom call the brothers among the best of the newest generation of Burgundian vignerons. In 2017 the Wine Advocate’s reviewer described his tasting at the domaine like this: “It was another superb set of wines from the domaine right from the commendable Bourgogne Rouge up to the spine-tingling Bâtard-Montrachet …. I strongly suspect (these wines) will represent some of the best values over the entire of the Côte d’Or this vintage, and if I were a millionaire…I would still buy them.”

Meursault is one of the trio of famous Chardonnay producing appellations in the Côte d’Or. Although both red and white wines are allowed to be produced in the Meursault appellation, 98% of Meursault is Chardonnay. With a total of 2,500 acres of vineyards, there are no Grands Crus but 325 acres of Premiers Crus, which are divided into 13 main vineyards. As wine writers have often noted, Meursault’s fame is based on its Premiers Crus, including the prestigious Les Perrières, Les Genevrières and Les Charmes. Because the water table is low in Meursault, many producers have cellars here, including Comte Lafon and Jean-Francois Coche-Dury. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote “the Premiers Crus, as well as the finest Villages Meursaults from the top vineyards, are among the easiest drinking white burgundies in the world. Why? High-quality Meursault is opulent, almost unctuous, with a fatness and a juicy, succulent, buttery, hazelnut and apple, peach-like fruitiness that often roars from the glass.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.